[ As the minutes draw by, Kim practically thinks that Shinji has lost his nerve, changed his mind, chosen to stew in the dreadful discomfort of the situation he's found himself in. Or had fallen asleep, body crashing after the thrum of adrenaline he must have been running on for so long. But eventually, Kim's communicator buzzes again, and Kim steels himself for the difficult conversation to come.
This, at least, Kim is at least halfway equipped to talk about. Not the loss, not the responsibility of bearing the weight of a child's well-being, not being plagued with the devastation of all this at Shinji's young age -- but guilt is an old bedfellow of Kim's. A stranger that dogs his steps, shadowing his step, a gentle lover that slips into bed with him and wraps him in its arms, a parent leaving a light on in the window and beckoning him home.
By the time Shinji arrives, Kim hasn't bothered changing out of his sleep clothes - grey sweats with the drawstring strung tight and a loose white shirt, hair stubbornly rumpled - but the familiar smell of coffee permeates the air. ]
Hello. Coffee's on, if you don't intend to sleep any more tonight.
action!!
This, at least, Kim is at least halfway equipped to talk about. Not the loss, not the responsibility of bearing the weight of a child's well-being, not being plagued with the devastation of all this at Shinji's young age -- but guilt is an old bedfellow of Kim's. A stranger that dogs his steps, shadowing his step, a gentle lover that slips into bed with him and wraps him in its arms, a parent leaving a light on in the window and beckoning him home.
By the time Shinji arrives, Kim hasn't bothered changing out of his sleep clothes - grey sweats with the drawstring strung tight and a loose white shirt, hair stubbornly rumpled - but the familiar smell of coffee permeates the air. ]
Hello. Coffee's on, if you don't intend to sleep any more tonight.